Illegal letting techniques uncovered in Boston

Some foreign workers have been prevented from viewing rental properties in Boston, Lincolnshire, according to an undercover investigation by the BBC.

Although there are no allegations of racism being made against the estate agents involved, the actions of the companies - who were acting on the wishes of private landlords - have been described by lawyers as "disturbing".

By refusing to allow Polish workers to see properties and letting a BBC employee see the same residence, the agents were using illegal techniques and breached the Race Relations Act of 1976.

This form of discrimination by private landlords and agents goes against the mandatory code of the professional body for estate agents in the UK, the National Association of Estate Agents.

Arpita Dutt, a discrimination lawyer at solicitor Russell Jones and Walker, told the BBC that agents should inform landlords that they can try to get the "best tenant for [a] property"and aim to meet their client's needs, but should never break the law.